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The First 20 Hours
- How to Learn Anything... Fast!
- Narrated by: Josh Kaufman
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
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Summary
"Learn anything... fast!"
Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What's on your list? What's holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills - time you don't have and effort you can't spare?
Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy?
To make matters worse, the early hours of practicing something new are always the most frustrating. That's why it's difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It's so much easier to watch TV or surf the web...
In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition: how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct complex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By completing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you'll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well.
This method isn't theoretical: it's field-tested. Kaufman invites readers to join him as he field tests his approach by learning to program a Web application, play the ukulele, practice yoga, re-learn to touch type, get the hang of windsurfing, and study the world's oldest and most complex board game.
What do you want to learn?
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- sarah
- 15-07-13
Not a good listen
If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
I'm not sure who would want to listen to this book - somebody who wanted to learn how to do yoga? the book went through all the yoga positions and how to do them? I have done yoga I really didn't need anybody to tell me how to do it? I thought it was going to give me a game plan for learning some sort of framework but it didn't.
Would you ever listen to anything by Josh Kaufman again?
No
What didn’t you like about Josh Kaufman’s performance?
the content
Any additional comments?
Don't buy
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17 people found this helpful
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- Tom Robertson: Gym Addict
- 02-05-14
Pretty Disappointing
Would you try another book written by Josh Kaufman or narrated by Josh Kaufman?
Yes, I like his writing and his narration is very good
What was most disappointing about Josh Kaufman’s story?
Got to say I am a little disappointed with it. Essentially 2/3 of the book are the case study examples of the new skills that the author decided to learn. Unless you are really interested in learning how to do yoga, web programming, touch-typing, play the Ukulele, the board game GO or windsurfing for yourself then the majority of the book can be pretty boring and somewhat tedious.
All the actually useful information and takeaways from the book (unless you are interested in the above skills) are in the first 3 chapters (40 pages) & the final 2 pages of the Afterword at the end.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Jen
- 24-02-15
Good Essay not really an audio book
What disappointed you about The First 20 Hours?
Kaufman is clearly passionate about his topic but its more of an essay than a full book.
What could Josh Kaufman have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Less lists more substance when describing how he learnt each subject.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
lists lists and more lists
Any additional comments?
the first 20 pages are very good and they have made me get off my couch and pick up my ukulele. His TED talk on the topic is worth a visit
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2 people found this helpful
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- Joe Morrison
- 03-06-15
Disappointed
What disappointed you about The First 20 Hours?
after such a brilliant first book this really missed the mark.it seemed very repetitive and self serving
Has The First 20 Hours put you off other books in this genre?
no
Would you be willing to try another one of Josh Kaufman’s performances?
prob not
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Disappointed
Any additional comments?
none
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Andrew Ebling
- 26-04-15
Insightful and inspiring listen
Although others have criticised this book for only being a few chapters of "meat" followed by examples, I found the examples to be the realisation of the meat of the book - the application of the principles contained.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Theo
- 22-01-15
Very good listen
He highlights what we know we should do with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. It is then up to you to make decisions about what you want in life
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1 person found this helpful
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- David
- 23-04-23
Not worth the money or time
The principal from the first few chapters is sound. But then we go down a rabbit hole where the author spends half the book telling us in minute detail about the things he learn in 20 hours.
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Overall
- Rob White
- 11-04-21
The principles are good, but...
The core principles are solid, but I found the chapters where he broke down examples of learning yoga, programming etc pretty dull. They felt like padding, rather than value. YMMV
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- Rozhana A
- 18-10-20
great!
it was a bit hard to follow the audio with the repetitive learning however its part of the process!
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- George Penn
- 07-09-20
Great transferable skills
Super handy, especially if one of the skills you want to learn are listed in this book
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